Five dead in clashes between Tunisian forces and militants

Clashes between Tunisian forces and militants in the remote mountains of the southern Gabes region on Monday left at least five militants dead and a policeman injured according to the Ministry of Interior.

The clashes erupted as security forces patrolled the town of Tounine in Gabes, close to Tunisia's border with Libya, where they came across a militant hideout in the area according to a statement by the ministry.

It added that weapons and ammunition were confiscated at the scene where the militants had been hiding.

Islamist militants have killed dozens of police and soldiers since the 2011 revolution that ousted longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Last year alone, the Islamic State group claimed attacks on the national museum in Tunis and a popular resort hotel, killing a total of 59 tourists, and the suicide bombing of a bus carrying presidential guards, in which 12 died.

The country that is seen as having escaped the violence that accompanied the Arab revolutions, has received a severe blow by terrorism and the economic downturn to which the attacks contributed.